The Separating Line of Fauna of Eastern and Central Indonesia – Indonesia, an archipelagic country with extraordinary biodiversity. From Sabang to Merauke, each island has its own uniqueness, including the fauna within it. This article will discuss the dividing line for fauna in Indonesia, especially between Eastern and Central Indonesia.
Uniqueness of Indonesian Fauna
Indonesia is known as one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world. From the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, to the grasslands of Nusa Tenggara, each ecosystem has unique and diverse fauna.
The fauna in Indonesia is not only diverse, but also has many endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. For example, orangutans which can only be found in Sumatra and Kalimantan, or Komodo dragons which only exist on Komodo Island.
However, what makes Indonesia’s fauna so unique and diverse? The answer lies in the faunal dividing line, or what is better known as the Weber Line.
Weber’s Line: Delimiting the Fauna of Eastern and Central Indonesia
Weber’s line is an imaginary line that separates fauna in Eastern and Central Indonesia. The line is named after the German zoologist, Max Weber, who first identified it.
The Weber Line runs from north to south, passing through the Makassar Strait and the Banda Sea. To the west of this line, the fauna is more similar to that of Asia, while to the east, the fauna is more similar to that of Australasia.
These lines not only separate species, they also separate ecosystems. To the west, tropical rainforest dominates, while to the east, the ecosystem is drier and more open.
Revealing the Fauna of Eastern Indonesia
East of the Weber Line, Indonesia’s fauna is very diverse and unique. One example is the cassowary, a large bird that cannot fly and can only be found in Papua and Australia.
Apart from cassowaries, there are also tree kangaroos, a unique marsupial that can be found in the forests of Papua. This tree kangaroo is one of the few marsupials that can be found outside Australia.
The fauna of Eastern Indonesia also includes various types of reptiles and amphibians, such as brightly colored tree frogs and the Komodo monitor lizard, which is the largest monitor lizard in the world.
Fauna of Central Indonesia: A Fusion of Asia and Australasia
In Central Indonesia, right along the Weber Line, there is a unique blend of Asian and Australasian fauna. Some examples of fauna that can be found here are:
- Anoa: Pygmy bull endemic to Sulawesi, is one of the smallest cattle species in the world.
- Babirusa: A unique animal that also comes from Sulawesi, has fangs that grow through the skin of its face.
- Cuscus: A marsupial found in the forests of Sulawesi and Maluku, it is one of the few marsupials outside Australia.
Wallacea: A Special Transition Zone
The region along the Weber Line is known as Wallacea, named after Alfred Russel Wallace, an English naturalist who conducted research in this region in the 19th century.
Wallacea is a transition zone between two large ecosystems, namely Asia and Australasia. Due to its unique position, Wallacea is home to many endemic species.
For example, in Sulawesi alone, more than 60% of bird species are endemic. This shows how special Wallacea is in terms of biodiversity.
Threats and Conservation: Maintaining the Wealth of Indonesian Fauna
Even though it is rich in biodiversity, Indonesia’s fauna faces various threats, ranging from poaching, climate change, to habitat destruction. The following is a table showing some of the threats and conservation efforts undertaken:
| Threat | Preservation Efforts |
|---|---|
| Poaching | Law enforcement and public education |
| Climate change | Planting trees and reducing greenhouse gas emissions |
| Habitat destruction | Establishment of nature reserves and national parks |
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Conclusion: Understanding the Weber Line for the Future
Understanding the Weber Line and the unique fauna in Indonesia is an important step in conservation efforts. By understanding these lines, we can better understand how species and ecosystems in Indonesia develop.
Apart from that, this understanding is also important in conservation efforts. By knowing which species are endemic and which are not, we can be more effective in maintaining biodiversity in Indonesia.
Finally, Weber’s Line is not only a dividing line, but also a connecting line. This line connects two large ecosystems, Asia and Australasia, and creates extraordinary biodiversity in Indonesia.
FAQ
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What are Weber Lines?
Weber’s line is an imaginary line that separates fauna in Eastern and Central Indonesia. The line is named after the German zoologist, Max Weber, who first identified it. -
What is meant by endemic fauna?
Endemic fauna are species that can only be found in one particular place or region. In Indonesia, there are many endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. -
What is Wallacea?
Wallacea is a region located along the Weber Line. This region is a transition zone between two large ecosystems, namely Asia and Australasia, and is home to many endemic species. -
What are the threats to fauna in Indonesia?
Fauna in Indonesia faces various threats, ranging from illegal hunting, climate change, to habitat destruction. -
What can we do to conserve fauna in Indonesia?
There are many ways to conserve fauna in Indonesia, such as enforcing laws against illegal hunting, planting trees to reduce the impact of climate change, and establishing nature reserves and national parks to protect habitats.